Carpets need to be vacuumed on a weekly basis. If you do not vacuum weekly then your carpet may mat down. Hot water steam extraction should also be performed on your carpets once a year.

All carpets have some form of stain protection on them but that does not mean they still can’t get dirty. If you do spill something on the carpet, be sure to tend to the spot right away. If it’s a liquid blot it out first – do not rub the spill in.

Below is a list of cleaning solvents to help you get out some of the spots. Do not overuse the cleaning agents. Also, let the area thoroughly dry before walking on it.

 

• Beer: use undiluted white vinegar or a detergent solution
• Blood: use water or a detergent with 4% ammonia solution
• Carbon Black: use a detergent solution
• Ketchup: use a detergent solution
• Chewing Gum: Use A volatile-type solvent like dry cleaning fluid
• Chocolate: Use either water, a detergent solution, or a detergent with 4% ammonia solution
• Coffee: Use either a detergent solution or undiluted white vinegar
• Crayon: Use an oil or grease remover
• Furniture Polish: use either a detergent solution or an oil or grease remover
• Grape Juice: use either a detergent solution or an oil or grease remover
• Gravy: use either water or a detergent solution
• Permanent ink: use either a detergent solution, a volatile-type solvent like dry cleaning fluid, or an oil or grease remover
• Washable ink: use water or a detergent solution
• Iron rust: Use either water or citric acids
• Lipstick: Use an oil or grease remover
• Milk: use a detergent solution
• Mustard: use a detergent solution
• Nail Polish: Use a volatile-type solvent like dry cleaning fluid
• Oil: Use a volatie-type solvent like dry cleaning fluid or an oil or grease remover
• Latex Paint: use water, a detergent solution, or an oil or grease remover
• Oil Paint: Use an oil or grease remover
• Shoe Polish: Use water, a detergent solution, or a volatile-type solvent like dry cleaning fluid
• Soda: Use a detergent solution
• Tea: Use a detergent solution
• Urine: use a water and undiluted white vinegar solution or use a water and ammonia solution
• Vomit: use water, a detergent solution, or a water and undiluted white vinegar solution
• Water Color: Use water, a detergent solution, or undiluted white vinegar
• Wine: use water, a detergent with 4% ammonia solution, or undiluted white vinegar 

Chewing gum or candle wax can be removed by rubbing an ice cube quickly over the material and then blot dry. You may need to follow with a solvent cleaner.

 

If a carpet seems to have lost its luster or just look dirty it could be the oil from our skin coating the fibers and causing them to look dull. Liberally apply a box of baking soda to an area. Let it sit for 24-48 hours and then vacuum up. One box of baking soda should do roughly a 18”x18” square.

 

Your carpet will only last if you take care of it. A high traffic area may need vacuumed several times a week. And a room barely walked in still needs to be vacuumed once a week.